I work with many travelers who are finding ways to get free checked bags during their family vacation. After all, a single free checked bag per person, for a large family, can represent substantial savings on their travel costs. In this article, I write about all the ways to get free checked baggage on Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines.
I want to add a disclaimer about “free” checked bag. There is no “free” checked baggage; everyone will pay for it in some way, shape or form. However, rather than paying the airline for each bag you carry, short of buying a ticket with a baggage allowance, you can also hold frequent flyer status or credit cards to get free checked baggage.
Travel Tips are my series of articles that are curated based on personal experiences, either as a travel advisor, or during personal travels. Below, are other travel tips I have written:
- Travel Tip: Free Checked Baggage on (Ultra) Basic Economy in Canada
- Travel Tip: Always Map the Hotel on Google
- Travel Tip: Taking Advantage of Marriott Dynamic Award Pricing
Free Checked Baggage on Air Canada
Credit Card Benefits
Air Canada allows one free check-in bag if you hold any of these credit cards:
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, or,
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, or,
- TD Aeroplan Business Visa, or,
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite, or,
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, or,
- CIBC Aeroplan Business Visa, or,
- American Express Aeroplan Card, or,
- American Express Aeroplan Reserve, or,
- American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve.
Unfortunately, all the nine credit cards I have recommended come with annual fees ranging from $120 to $599. While the lowest annual fee is $120, I often recommend it to families and couples if they want to check-in bags during their flight. A couple could save money if everyone has a check-in bag on a round-trip flight.
Frequent Flyers
Air Canada elite frequent flyers, including the entry-level 25K, will continue to get their baggage allowance when traveling on Basic tickets.
Star Alliance Gold members will continue to get one additional free check-in bag.
Free Checked Baggage on WestJet
Credit Card Benefits
WestJet allows one free check-in bag if you hold the RBC WestJet World Elite credit card. While the annual fee is $120, I often recommend it to families and couples if they want to check-in bags during their flight. A couple could save money if everyone has a check-in bag on a round-trip flight.
Frequent Flyers
WestJet and Delta frequent flyers get free check-in bags.
Free Checked Baggage on Porter Airlines
Unfortunately, there is no method to get a free check-in bags on Porter Airlines, unless you are a frequent flyer with Porter Airlines.
Free Checked Baggage on Flair Airlines.
Unfortunately, there is no method to get a free check-in bag on Flair Airlines.
Conclusion
Personally, I love basic fares. When traveling with my family, the savings can be substantial by buying a basic or ultrabasic ticket. My biggest frustration is paying extra for checked in baggage. Between the three of us, we always have at least one check-in bag. Adding the cost of a checked-in bag can often kill any significant savings we got by purchasing a basic ticket in the first place. Hence, I frequently review my options to ensure that my family always receive their “free” checked baggage. Regardless of this article, I always keep in mind; it can be cheaper to fly an airline without free checked baggage, even after adding the cost of checked bags.
